20 beautiful attractions to visit in Khon Kaen
Khon Kaen is a province in Thailand located in the northeastern region of the country, also known as “Big Four of Isaan“. It is known for its beautiful scenery, comfortable accommodations, and delicious food. Some popular tourist attractions in Khon Kaen include Phu Wiang National Park, which is home to many species of plants and animals, and Wat Nong Wang, a temple with a beautiful golden stupa. The city is also home to a number of museums, including the Khon Kaen National Museum, which showcases the history and culture of the region. There are also many outdoor activities to enjoy, such as hiking and biking in the countryside, or visiting the local markets and trying some of the delicious local cuisine.
Mueang District
Bueng Kaen Nakhon
Bueng Kaen Nakhon is a large swamp located in the central municipality of Khon Kaen, Thailand. It covers an area of 603 rai (about 240 acres) and is named after Chao Piang Mueang Pan, the founder of Khon Kaen. The area has been renovated into a health garden and features various sculptures, a children’s playground, and a variety of restaurants. It is a popular place for people in the city to relax and enjoy recreational activities due to its comfortable atmosphere. The swamp is also home to a new landmark, a bridge that visitors can walk across to enjoy the views. Bueng Kaen Nakhon is a great place to take the family to relax and spend time together in a beautiful, natural setting.
Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon (Wat Nong Wang)
Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon, is a royal temple located on Klang Muang Road Rim Bueng Kaen Nakhon. The temple is located inside Wat Nong Wang, also known as the Old City, and is home to a square-based stupa called Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon. The stupa is 50 meters wide on each side and was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the throne and the 200th anniversary of Mahamangkhalanusorn, a Dvaravati-style art form that blends Indochina art with the style of the Northeastern people, known as Tak Hae. The temple is an important religious and cultural site in Khon Kaen, and is a popular tourist attraction due to its historical and architectural significance.
Wat Thung Setthi
Wat Thung Setthi is a Thai Buddhist temple located in Ban Nong Hai near the Mueang District. The temple is relatively new and is located near the Route 230 ring road. Its name, Wat Thung Setthi, means “Temple Millionaire’s Field,” implying that people who make merit at the temple will become wealthy. It is a popular destination for tourists and local Buddhists alike, and is known for its beautiful architectural features and peaceful atmosphere. Visitors to Wat Thung Setthi can participate in traditional Buddhist rituals and practices, such as making offerings and participating in chanting and meditation. The temple is a peaceful place to learn about Thai culture and religion, and is an important part of the community in Khon Kaen.
City Pillar Shrine (San Lak Muang)
The Khon Kaen City Pillar Shrine is a spiritual center located in the city of Khon Kaen, Thailand. It is enshrined at Sala Sukjai and is a popular place for people in the city to come and worship regularly. The atmosphere at the City Pillar Shrine is peaceful and serene, and the building itself is designed in the traditional Thai style, featuring intricate architectural details and artwork. The shrine is an important part of the city’s cultural heritage and is a popular destination for tourists and local residents alike. The building is a tetrahedron hall, which is a spacious and open architectural design, and is a beautiful example of the traditional art and architecture of the Isaan region.
Columbo Craft Village
Columbo Craft Village is a community space in Khon Kaen, located on Colombo Road near Khon Kaen University. It was founded by a group of art lovers who wanted to create a place where people could appreciate and enjoy art in their city. The village features a variety of handmade shops, cafes, restaurants, and workshops, including a woodworking workshop and a fabric artist’s studio. All of the shops are arranged in a circle around an open courtyard, which is used for artistic activities and other events. The village is a popular destination for art lovers and tourists alike, and is known for its unique atmosphere and beautiful handmade crafts. In addition to being a place to showcase art, Columbo Craft Village is also a great place to relax, have a bite to eat, and take chic photos.
Ton Tann Market
Ton Tann Market is a large outdoor market located next to Mittraphap Road. The market features more than 400 shops and is known for its shady atmosphere and diverse selection of goods. It is described as a “dream market for people with ideas,” and is a popular destination for art lovers, collectors, and those interested in inventions and unique items. The market also hosts a variety of entertainment activities, including storytelling and drama groups, dancing groups, photography groups, and groups of classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts who come to show off and exchange their works. There is also a green, tree-lined area where visitors can relax and enjoy the various performances and activities.
Khon Kaen National Museum
Khon Kaen National Museum is a museum located behind the Government Center in Nai Mueang Subdistrict. The museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history, archaeology, folk culture, and ethnography of the upper Isaan region of Thailand. It houses a variety of valuable antiquities from different periods, including the prehistoric period and the Dvaravati period, as well as local artifacts and appliances from Isan local wisdom. The museum’s collections are systematically divided into different eras and displayed in a two-storey building in the traditional Thai style, as well as an outdoor Bai Sema exhibition building and a one-story building behind it.
Nam Phong District
Phrathat Kham Kaen
Phrathat Kham Kaen is a Buddhist temple located in Ban Kham village, Nam Phong District, Khon Kaen, Thailand. It is an important sanctuary in the city and is home to the most important and oldest pagoda in the region’s history. The temple is home to the relics of the Buddha and is revered by the people of Khon Kaen and the neighboring provinces in the Northeast, as well as by Buddhists in other countries. The temple’s main attraction is a 19-meter-high golden chedi, or stupa, which is supported by a pedestal consisting of two inverted lotus bases that curve upward to form a throne. The chedi is decorated with Ruen That and Yot That, carambola petal recesses, and is surrounded by a tiered garden.
Ban Fang District
Hin Chang Si View Point
Hin Chang Si View Point is a location that offers beautiful views of the Ubolratana Dam and the surrounding natural scenery. The park has recently undergone renovations, including the creation of a nature study route with multiple viewing terraces. Visitors can take in the sights of the dam and observe strange rock formations that have been naturally shaped over time, as well as the prominent stone known as Hin Chang Si, which gives the view point its name.
Phu Pha Man District
Phu Pha Man Homestay
“Phu Pha Man Homestay” is a hidden gem in the Phu Pha Man District of Isaan, offering a peaceful and relaxing accommodation surrounded by beautiful limestone mountains. The property has a modern cafe with mountain views, as well as huts and a bamboo bridge in the midst of rice fields for guests to enjoy. The district maintains the purity of its natural surroundings, and guests can experience this beauty by waking up to see the thin mist floating in the valley in the morning. With all of these amenities and natural wonders, there is no need to travel to the north for a satisfying vacation experience.
Hai-Na Garden House
Hai-Na Garden House is a unique cafe located in Phu Pha Man District, surrounded by rice fields and the Phu Pha Man mountain range. The cafe is located near the popular Kham Khao Cave, where visitors can watch thousands of bats fly out in search of food in the morning and evening. The cafe itself offers a beautiful mountain view from its rooftop seating area, and guests may even be lucky enough to see fog in the morning. The menu at Hai-Na Garden House includes a variety of drinks, such as coffee and smoothies, as well as sweet treats like crepe cakes and coconut cakes, and savory dishes. There is something for everyone to enjoy while taking in the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
Chum Phae District
Suan Son Dong Lan
Suan Son Dong Lan pine forest is a located in the Chum Phae District and Si Chomphu District, about 5-6 kilometers from Phu Pha Man National Park. The pine forest is a research plot of the Forest Department’s Bureau of Research and Forest Development, and has been planted as a beautiful and shady green space for travelers to enjoy. It is a popular spot for visitors to take beautiful pictures and admire the atmosphere. If you are traveling in Phu Pha Man District or passing through the area on your way to Phu Kradueng, it is worth making a stop at Suan Son Dong Lan pine forest to take in the beauty of the surroundings.
Phu Pha Man National Park
Phu Pha Man National Park is a beautiful protected area located in the Chum Phae District of Khon Kaen and the Phu Kradueng District of Loei Province. It covers an area of approximately 350 square kilometers, and is named after the mountain at the southern end of the park, which has steep cliffs that resemble a large curtain. The park is a popular destination for tourists who want to see the beautiful mountain views and forests, and there are several areas within the park where visitors can enjoy these views, such as the park office area, tent yard, and welfare shop. The park office and tent yard offer views of Phu Pha Man mountain, while the welfare shop has a view balcony that overlooks the forest and the limestone mountains of Phu Pha Man.
Phu Wiang District
Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum
Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum is located in the sub-district city of Wiang Kao District and is part of the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Fossil Research Center. The museum was established for the purpose of conserving and exhibiting dinosaur fossils, including bones, fragments, and footprints, that were found in Phu Wiang District in 1976. The museum is a popular tourist destination and is intended to promote sustainable development through tourism in the area. It is an important resource for the study and understanding of dinosaurs in Thailand.
Phu Wiang Dinosaur Park
Phu Wiang Dinosaur Park is located in Phu Wiang District, Khon Kaen, and is not far from the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum. The park is a shaded, tree-filled area that is home to statues of different species of dinosaurs scattered throughout the park. It is a popular vacation spot for families with children and is a great place for kids to learn about and explore the world of dinosaurs.
Phu Wiang National Park
Phu Wiang National Park is well known for its association with dinosaurs, which were discovered in the park in 1976 during an expedition to explore uranium deposits. During the expedition, geologists found a bone fragment that was later identified as a left knee bone of a dinosaur. This discovery led to further excavations in the park, and Phu Wiang National Park has since become an important location for the study and understanding of dinosaurs in Thailand.
Tat Fa Waterfall is more than 4 hours hike from the main National Park entrance, so in any case you wanted to go to the waterfall you need to be prepared to stay overnight camping. It is best if you get a local guide or go in groups if you are not familiar with this place.
Ubolratana District
Phu Kao – Phu Phan Kham National Park
Phu Phan Kham National Park is a large protected area located in Nong Bua Lamphu Province, the lower area of Udon Thani Province, and the upper part of Khon Kaen Province. The park has many popular tourist spots, including Phu Phan Kham, which is located in the Phu Phan mountain range and is the location of the park’s office. There is also a view point at Hellfire Pass, which offers beautiful views of the Ubolratana Dam and the sunset. This view point is located 100 meters before the entrance to the national park office.
Ubol Ratana Dam
Ubol Ratana Dam, formerly known as the Phong Neeb Dam, is a well-known tourist attraction in Khon Kaen. It is the second multi-purpose dam in Thailand and the first hydroelectric power dam in the Northeast. The dam is a popular destination for its beautiful views and scenic walking path. It is located next to the Bhumibol Dam and is an important resource for hydroelectric power in the region.
Wat Phra Bat Phu Phan Kham
Wat Phra Bat Phu Phan Kham is located in Ubolratana District, Khon Kaen, near the entrance to Ubonrat Dam. It is situated on the shoulder of Phu Phan Kham mountain and features a replica of the Buddha’s footprint in a mondop and a large white Buddha image called Or Luang Pho Yai, which stands at 14 meters tall. To reach the mountaintop, visitors can either climb 1,049 steps from the temple courtyard or drive up via an asphalt road that is suitable for all types of vehicles. From the top of the mountain, visitors can enjoy a beautiful view of Ubonrat Dam Lake.
Ubolratana Dam Farm Stay
Ubolratana Dam Farm Stay is a popular accommodation and cafe in Ubolratana District that offers a range of comfortable rooms at prices in the hundreds. In addition to the cafe, the property also features a restaurant and other facilities that are stylishly decorated and well-arranged. There are many menu options to choose from, including both savory and sweet dishes. The property is known for its beautiful photo angles and is a popular destination for visitors.
Little Box Khon Kaen
Little Box Khon Kaen is a Hotel and Cafe located on the way to Ubolratana Dam that is surrounded by a green tropical garden and rice fields. It offers accommodation in chic boutique-style rooms that are designed using shipping containers, including one with a Jacuzzi bathtub that offers views of the surrounding rice fields through its clear glass walls. The cafe itself is beautifully decorated and has a shady interior, with plenty of opportunities for taking photos. It serves savory food and drinks, as well as a variety of sweet bakery items, cakes, and croissants that are sure to be a hit with sweet lovers.
Buffalo Village
Buffalo Village is a restaurant and coffee shop located in the middle of rice fields with a view of Ubolratana Dam. It is a great destination for those who enjoy a country atmosphere and want to sit and eat Isaan-style food in a hut. The restaurant is known for its delicious menus that include papaya salad, spicy salad, grilled fish, and grilled shrimp, and it has a reputation for serving some of the best Isaan food in Ubolratana district. Many customers, both locals and foreigners, come to the restaurant repeatedly to enjoy its satisfying tastes.
Location: 89 Ban Kaeng Sila, Khuean Ubolratana, Ubolratana District, Khon Kaen 40250, Thailand
Rim Khuean Coffee
Rim Khuean Coffee is a restaurant located in a hut with a beautiful view of Khao Phu Kao, Phu Phan Kham, and the surrounding rice fields and Ubolratana Dam. The property features a long raised bamboo path and cute corners with swings and a Bali bird’s nest booth that make it a great spot for taking pictures. The restaurant serves a variety of Isaan dishes, including papaya salad, spicy salad, grilled fish, and one-dish meals, as well as desserts such as Honey Toast Bingchu. It is a great place to relax and enjoy a meal while taking in the beautiful scenery.
